The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1887-02-03
AN AMERICAN LORD.
Baron Stiegers Splendid Castle at
Shaefferstown, Pa
Going Through Great Fortune-Festivities
That Always Marked His Arrival at
Thurm-Berg-Died an Obscure
Schoolmaster.

Shaeferstown is little village lying
in the south of Lebanon County, Pa,
with no special significance attaching
toit. Nature has. however, surrounded
itwith beauteous outlines of landscape,
and it nestles among hills, high and
low, as if it aspired to nothing more
than the sweet amenities of seclusion.
It was originally settled. by German
Jews. In the first years of the eigh-
ieenth century they came here and, as
L by some prearranged understanding
Of its great natural beauty and fitting
advantages, they built themselves
homes in the valley and became COM
munity Of most peculiar people. The
aceessions to this settlement became
numerous, until it had gained the repu-
tation far and wide of being the most
unique and clannish colony that had
found home in this land. The syna-
sogue that they built, and the para
phernalia of their imported rabbi, be-
came a great attraction to the outside
settlers, who often ventured into the
Worship of their Sabbath Day. In the
year 1882 they already had constructed
agrave-yard, built in with heavy and
substantial stone wall. The remains of
i are pointed out to-day. About one
hall mile south of Shaefferstown, close
70 the Lancaster road, it rests in half
preserved but neglected state. The
most adhesive cement and most expert
masonry evidently were used, for the
wintry blasts of more than one hun
dred and fifty years have not quite de-
stroyed this relic.
But sudden and extraordinary as was
me advent of this people, so was their
departure. 1t was almost like a dream
single night. As between sunrise
and sunset the new town was deserted
and no vestige of Israel remained save
ne dead that lay on the hill. Then
uermans OF another faith came-Luthe-
rams and German Reformed, among
snom was one Shaeffer, who, through
maaence and wealth, became the pro-
pietor Of the place, and also became
ae iather Of the little town. In 1745 it
aaa no less than one hundred unassum-
,as httle houses, several stores and
'a'efns, andin 1865 bell of the Protest
aa' ialth rung out above stone church
whose tolling has never ceased.
nat another more interesting histori-
~ iact gives dignity to the surrounds
ass o. this place. There is a lofty hill
y aa ,.l'o rowns with its grim heights upon
~ h.tle village from the south. 1t is
.,ed u:p tne "Thurm-Berg,", or Tower
wa. MI, on that lofty eminence a certain
, aallam Henry Stiegel had erected a
%sel' or castle, and certain phases OF
Z 8 runs !, can be noticed this day. There
mos. - nose living who have a very cor
representation of the odd structure,
s"sa 4 y them by former generations, but
f,..-.. oSoiee OF better history very
~ aa'sselc mass of legends concerning its
.ae. are extant. This German Baron
d ~ however, a most eccentric man.
49,, s vas altogether the most notorious
ss sass IN all that region around. and the
~, say lavish and extraordinary expendi.
mhs - business enterprises and in the
s;sa saa,le qualification of his whims adver.
s,s.. ~ nun IN the great social and mer.
ma a''le eenters of the cities. He had 8
ny NV checkered career. He was :
0s.s. sa "a Europe. In America he ap
:sally .,:' disrobed himself of the earb o.
l gentleman and launched into &
a,;s lle, spending money like {
~ 49, de became an iron-master, :
s,@ss - manufacturer, and even for awhil,
sss ssSaasdthe functions of . preacher
dtnaa a .aseF, through the changed vicis
nas,s sss q fortune, he acted the school
ii ;.sf y. His life. in the full detail o
= successes and adversities, it prodi